Kirkland Arts Center Presents CHROMOSOME PAINTING, Beginning 5/25

This exhibition brings together three bodies of work generated from Ondrizek's two-year collaboration with the department of Medical Genetics at the University of Washington. 

The exhibition includes work made for the artist's University of Washington commission Chromosome 17 and the piece created for the Portland Art Museum, Case Study.   

Also included are several large silk panels made from the image of a DNA microarray. A microarray is an assemblage of microscopic DNA spots that consist of small amounts of DNA sequences known as "probes" affixed to a solid surface, generally a glass or silicone chip. The hybridization of a probe and target sequence is visualized with fluorescence or chemiluminescence that produces red, yellow, green and blue dots that glow like a grid of stars in a night sky.

Chromosome Paintings was made specifically for the Kirkland Arts Center, and is based on the image of a synteny map, a colorful, striped array that compares gene sequences between species to elucidate the evolution of chromosomes. more    

Geraldine Ondrizek is a research based artist and professor of Art and Art History. Her work ignites interest, and inquiry around the diseases of Cancer and their influence on individuals and families. She relies heavily on scientific inquiry, focuses on the documentation of biological specimens and systems of categorization. She develops fields of inquiry and initiates collaborations with genetic scientists, which trace ethnic identity, life span and genetically inherited conditions. For more information on Ondrizek's work, visit her website.     

Robin Bennett is one of the most prominent genetic counselors in the nation, and teaches human genetics in the medical school. She is a pioneer in developing genetic counseling practices that have become standard worldwide.   

Genevieve Gaiser Tremblay is an artist, curator and public scholar working at the convergence of art and technology. Her practice integrates research, teaching, service, and public engagement. She is focused on creating interdisciplinary collaboration with social minded innovators who are creatively applying digital, mobile and game technologies to art, education, and civic engagement initiatives.

This exhibit is being funded in part by: Oregon Arts Commission, The Ford Foundation, Stillman Drake Fund, Reed College, and 4Culture.